The main types of roof tiles are clay, concrete and natural slate, plus slate alternatives and stone slates. Plain tiles are small and laid double lap, while interlocking tiles are larger and laid single lap. Each type has its own weight, look and minimum roof pitch, so a roofer should confirm what suits your house.
Look along any British street and you'll see the roofs tell a story. Small, neat rectangles on an older cottage, big overlapping profiles on a 1970s semi, thin grey slates on a terrace. Those differences come down to a handful of material and design choices, and knowing them makes it easier to read a survey, talk to a roofer or work out what's on your own house.
I've pulled this together from the Designing Buildings wiki and Homebuilding & Renovating, two UK building references. Where the two sources differ I've said so rather than picking a winner, and you'll want a roofer or the manufacturer to confirm anything specific to your roof.
The two ways roof tiles are laid
Before the materials, it helps to understand how tiles are arranged, because it explains why some roofs look so different. The Designing Buildings wiki splits tiles into two groups.
- Double lap (plain tiles). Two layers of tile run across the whole roof, and the top tile overlaps the one two courses below at the end laps. Plain tiles are small, commonly 265 x 165 mm according to the wiki, and each hangs on battens by at least two nibs.
- Single lap (interlocking tiles). The tiles are bigger, commonly around 420 x 300 mm, and overlap and interlock at the sides, so one layer is enough. The wiki says they should be fixed with a clip or nail and need larger battens than a double lap roof.
Homebuilding & Renovating adds that plain tiles are labour-intensive to lay, while interlocking tiles are quick to lay, though a complicated roof means more cutting.
Clay roof tiles
Clay is the traditional material. Homebuilding & Renovating describes clay tiles as available in many colours, sizes and profiles, including plain tiles, pantiles and bullnose. It says the colour doesn't fade and that weathering tends to enrich it. It also says clay generally needs a pitch of 35 degrees or steeper, although some interlocking clay tiles suit pitches as shallow as 15 degrees.
Pantiles are the S-shaped ones. The same source calls them large-format tiles that side-lap, and says they're a traditional choice on the eastern coast of England and in Scotland. They're now also made in modern profiles and in materials other than clay.
Concrete roof tiles
Concrete tiles come as interlocking or plain tiles. The Designing Buildings wiki says concrete has been used for plain tiles since the 1950s, and that interlocking tiles have been mostly concrete since the 1970s. It adds that a single lap tile roof weighs somewhere between half and three fifths of a plain tile covering, which is why that style suits so much modern building.
Homebuilding & Renovating says concrete tiles last a similar time to clay, that they can be used on pitches lower than 15 degrees, and that their colour fades and weathers over the years. It also says the roof structure must be checked for the weight. Roof weight isn't something to guess, so a roofer or structural engineer should confirm it before any change of covering.
Natural slate roof tiles
Slate is a natural rock that's cut into thin, tapered pieces. The Designing Buildings wiki says it's strong, weather-resistant and low in water absorption, so it copes well with freezing temperatures, and that it can sometimes last more than 100 years. Slates are laid double lap and fixed to the battens by head or centre nailing.
On pitch, the wiki says natural slate suits pitches above 20 degrees, with a bigger head lap needed on lower pitches. Homebuilding & Renovating gives a minimum of 20 degrees as well, notes that most slate is now imported, and says it improves with age. The wiki also covers thickness, from 4 mm up to 9 mm, with the thicker slates heavier.
Slate alternatives and stone slates
There are alternatives for people who like the slate look and don't want the weight. Homebuilding & Renovating says some are thin concrete tiles, some are fibre-cement, and others are slate dust bound with resin, and that reconstituted versions can be interlocking. The Designing Buildings wiki describes artificial slate as considerably lighter than natural slate, with a lifespan of about 40 years, normally fixed with two centre nails per slate plus an extra fixing at the bottom edge to resist wind uplift.
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Stone slates aren't the same thing at all. Homebuilding & Renovating says split stone slates are preferred by planners in places such as the Cotswolds and the Yorkshire Moors, need an experienced stone roofer, last around 100 years (or 200 to 300 if well cared for) and need a pitch of at least 45 degrees.
Roof tile types compared
| Type | Typical material | Lapping | Pitch notes from the sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plain tile | Clay, or concrete since the 1950s | Double lap | Clay generally 35 degrees or steeper |
| Interlocking tile | Mostly concrete since the 1970s; clay pantiles and Roman tiles traditionally | Single lap | Can go as low as 15 degrees; the wiki gives 30 for roll type and 15 for trough type |
| Pantile | Clay, now other materials too | Side-lapping | Not given by the sources |
| Natural slate | Natural rock | Double lap | Above 20 degrees |
| Artificial slate | Fibre-cement, concrete or resin-bound slate dust | Varies | Check the maker |
| Stone slate | Split stone | Double lap | At least 45 degrees |
Spotting problems with roof tiles
Whatever the tile, the signs of trouble look similar and they're easy to miss: slipped, cracked or missing tiles, patches of moss, and sagging lines along the roof. A tile that has moved can let water in, so if you see a stain on a ceiling, our guide on how to find a roof leak shows how to trace it from the loft. And because every tile roof drains into guttering, it's worth knowing how to clean gutters safely too.
As for repairs, the tile type decides the fixing method, the batten size and the safe pitch, so a like-for-like repair needs someone who knows the roof. Leave the climbing to a roofer.
Sharing what you know about roofing materials
If you've got deep knowledge of materials, such as how a covering behaves on different pitches or ages, there are blogs that'll welcome that expertise.
Builders and roofers with material know-how may like roofing sites that welcome contributor articles.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main types of roof tiles?
The main types are clay, concrete and natural slate, plus slate alternatives and stone slates. They're also grouped by how they are laid: double lap plain tiles and single lap interlocking tiles.
What is the difference between plain tiles and interlocking tiles?
Plain tiles are small and laid in two overlapping layers. Interlocking tiles are bigger and overlap at the sides, so one layer covers the roof, which is why they're quicker to lay. The Designing Buildings wiki says a single lap roof weighs somewhere between half and three fifths of a plain tile covering.
What pitch do slate roofs need?
The Designing Buildings wiki says natural slate suits pitches above 20 degrees, and Homebuilding & Renovating gives a minimum of 20 degrees. Lower pitches need a bigger head lap, so ask a roofer.
How long do slate roofs last?
The Designing Buildings wiki says natural slate can last more than 100 years, while artificial slate lasts about 40 years.
Can I check what tiles my roof has myself?
You can look from the ground with binoculars to see the shape and colour, but you can't be sure of the material from there, so a roofer or surveyor should confirm the material and whether it suits your roof structure.
